Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Murphy for his very kind invitation to visit the National Famine Museum in Strokestown. It is a phenomenal facility. We got a chance to view it on Sunday. For anyone who is visiting and travelling around as part of their summer holidays, I suggest that they take time to stop off at Strokestown, to explore and to learn what our history means. As the Taoiseach has said, it is incredible to note that there has been no recorded famine in any democracy in the world. That makes one realise the importance of having a democracy.

I wish to refer to another lovely event, which was the presentation of Roscommon passports. It is a wonderful initiative by the Roscommon local authority. Mr. Joe Murphy, who is the cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council and brother of Senator Eugene Murphy, was in attendance to present leaving certificate students from across the county of Roscommon with a passport and tribute to say that they will always belong no matter what path they take after the leaving certificate, and that Roscommon is their home. The event did not take place for the last two years but students will be now be brought together. It felt incredible to be in a hall with hundreds of leaving certificate students from all of the secondary school colleges in County Roscommon.

Lastly, consultation on the Carrick-on-Shannon to Dromod bypass will open this evening. It is very important that we see infrastructural projects moving forward. The project is very important, will bring crucial investment to the west and will create a new crossing on the River Shannon. It will be crucial in bringing investment into our area. We know that we will probably see another project going back to tender. It is important that the Government supports projects and ensures that the likes of the Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge road, which is a €200 million investment, goes forward.